Sheriff Mehr said the family have asked for privacy while they grieve the loss of their boy.

"They want Noah's life to be honored in the fact that he brought a community together," he added.

Grief: The whole community have been devastated by Noah's death (Image: Facebook/Help Find Noah Chamberlin)

A desperate search was launched by police and local volunteers who scoured the woodlands every day and night.

Tributes for the two-year-old boy have poured in on social media.

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A post on the Help Find Noah Chamberlin page said: "I learned that a community comes together in the cold, in the dark in their hearts when the need is there.

"A country was there for this little boy, praying and doing whatever they could do to help.

"I learned a lot from a little boy, one who could run too fast and was too adventurous to stick around here.

"Thank you Noah and family. This day will always be yours."

Heart-broken: The family have thanked the police and the community for their support (Image: Facebook/Help Find Noah Chamberlin)

Another post said: "Words really cannot express how deeply broken my heart is. For the first time in a long time I put faith in something.

"I would have done anything for this baby to be back home with his mom and dad.

"I think about my own two year old son and how much he needs me and loves me and my heart just continues to break for the bond between mother and son that was just basically shattered before our eyes."